All About Outwear

Fashions fade, style is eternal. ~Yves Saint Laurent

Now that your backpack is half full of your tops, bottoms, and undergarments, you still need to squeeze in outwear. As I said in the previous post, layering is key. Because you go through several different climates while hiking Kilimanjaro (previous post on weather), you need to prepare yourself clothing wise so that you’re comfortable and prepared for all types of weather.

The first jacket I layered with was my favorite Northface black fleece zip up priced at $80. I bought mine on clearance from REI so I got a great deal on it. Want the look for less? Target sells a black zip up Champion jacket that isn’t fleece but a softshell material. I would definitely recommend having a fleece jacket to keep you warm when temperatures drop at night and at higher altitudes.

In addition to all of my layers of shirts and my fleece jacket, I wore my favorite pink Northface rain jacket. Although it didn’t rain on my hike, I wore this jacket everyday because it’s lightweight so it layers well and because it’s a good windbreaker for when it gets gusty on the mountain. The Northface Women’s Venture rain jacket comes in almost twenty colors and is $99 which is pretty pricey, but it’s a good investment for college girls or working women who are often walking through campus or the city. Want the look for less? This Columbia rain jacket is a good alternative and although it only comes in four colors, it’s only $60. Want the look for even less than that? This Kelty rain jacket, available at Target, is a cute periwinkle color and a steal at $35. I might recommend going with the Northface or Columbia rain jackets as they are meant to stand up to the harsh weather of the outdoors when hiking or camping specifically.

If you’re like me, you probably hate it most when your hands and feet are chilly. In order to keeps my hands nice and toasty, I wore my Northface Denali Thermal Gloves. They’re relatively inexpensive at $30 and the fuzzy material is super comfortable in winter weather.

Now, we can’t forget about covering up your ears and head! I wore a TurtleFur fleece headband to keep my ears covered. 

I also wore my favorite University of South Carolina baseball cap everyday to show my love for the Gamecocks. As a girl, a baseball cap will be your best friend on your Kilimanjaro hike because as the week goes on and your hair gets dirtier and more tangled, a hat becomes the only way to control it. Plus, you don’t want to look back at pictures of your hike up Kilimanjaro and decide not to frame them because your hair looks too messy or greasy. Do yourself a favor and buy a cute and comfortable hat to cover up the bird’s nest your hair will become so you will still look adorable in your photos. 

One type of hat I didn’t bring but wish I would have is a fleece beanie. This would have been especially good to have on summit night when it is freezing cold outside and at night while sleeping since wearing a baseball cap to bed is awkward.

Want to know what kind of kicks you need to climb Kilimanjaro? Read tomorrow’s post to find out what type of boots you need to get your booty to the summit!

Warm and comfy Northface Women's TKA 200 Kimber Full Zip

My favorite pink Northface rain jacket

Super soft Northface Denali Thermal Gloves

Turtle Fur Fleece Headband to keep my ears toasty

My favorite USC hat to cover up my crazy hair and show some Gamecock pride

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

There’s a 40% chance it’s already raining [as she stands in a downpour]. ~Mean Girls

Does preparing for the unpredictable seem impossible? Well that’s just what you have to do because on this trek you will experience many ecological zones and go from equator-like weather to what seems like Antarctic weather in a matter of mere days. You will climb below through, and above clouds, in tropical sun, rain and snow, through a forest, across a desert and finally on ice fields to the summit. As the weather is unpredictable overall, you will need to be prepared for wet days and freezing cold nights.

Are you the kind of girl who dreads going to class or work on a day that it’s pouring rain? On a dreary and humid day do you worry about your hair frizzing to the size of Texas? While I reluctantly face the rain on my way to class by wearing my bright pink rain jacket, I definitely would rather stay curled up in my warm bed than venture into downpours. 

If you’re like me, the idea of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in rain showers is less that appealing. Therefore, it’s really important to choose the time of year that the weather is ideal for yourself.  There are two rainy seasons on Mount Kilimanjaro, from March to May and again from November to January. Hiking during the rainy season will definitely make for not as crisp and picturesque photos, and potentially a more difficult trek due to hiking through the mud initially and misty or snowy conditions later.

Not a fan of cold temperatures? This may not be a problem at the beginning of the hike where temperatures are on average 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. However, prepare to bundle up at the summit at night time where the temperature becomes chilly ranging from -15 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. As your hike to the summit takes place in the middle of the night (more on that later!), you will need to prepare yourself for brisk weather. And by brisk I mean brutally cold weather that is more frigid than the mean girls in from your high school years or your icy mother in law.

One of the best times to climb the mountain is during the dry season from June to October. Though it is the coldest time, this is the most popular time to go. The warmest months of January through March are the second most popular time. January, February, and September are said to be the best months for climbing due to little rain, warmer temperatures, and their overall ideal weather conditions. 

I trekked Kilimanjaro during the month of June. To learn more about the weather during my hike, read future posts about my trip!

*Thanks to my roommate & best friend Katie for today's quote inspiration! You rock!

My favorite pink Northface rain jacket I wore up Kilimanjaro

P.S. Happy Valentines Day loves! Have a wonderful day celebrating love with family and friends!